The civil war raged on, bringing great suffering to the country. Amidst these turbulent times, the Skobichev family in the village of Sevruki near Gomel awaited the birth of a child. On April 1, 1918, Glykeria gave birth to a baby girl. The couple baptised their daughter, naming her after St. Mary of Egypt. Yet, Vladimir and Glykeria's joy was tinged with sorrow, for their daughter was born with cerebral palsy. Doctors predicted she would never walk like other healthy children.
God blessed the girl with a kind heart, a cheerful disposition, and a talent for sewing, as well as an appreciation for beauty. She possessed other gifts that set her apart from other children. Mary prayed often, loved the church and its services, and often asked her mother to take her there. She sensed that her life was intrinsically tied to the church.
Even in early childhood, she had a vision. One sleepless night, two roads appeared before her. As she stood pondering which path to take, she heard a voice: "If you choose the left path, your life will be peaceful; if you choose the right, you will face sorrow." Whether by mistake or intention, Mary chose the right path...
From a young age, she worked diligently, helping her mother with all the household chores to the best of her ability. Despite her frailty, she would wash clothes in the river alongside the grown women. Gradually, she adapted to her condition and became someone others found interesting and needed. She learned to sew, designed her own patterns, and had an eye for fashion. She knew which styles suited whom, understood fabrics, and loved to dress her friends, family, and neighbours. People began to notice that being around this girl made them feel at ease and comfortable; they could be themselves and receive genuine attention and encouragement.
But her greatest gift was her holiness. The first to recognise this was an old beggar Mary had fed and clothed. He called her a nun, sensing the true spirit behind her kind deeds and attentiveness to people. Indeed, few of her peers dedicated as much time to prayer as she did. She never missed a church feast and dreamed of visiting a monastery to attend monastic services and breathe in the air of sanctity.
Her parents often took their ailing daughter to the women's Tikhvin Monastery in Chenky, never denying her this wish despite the difficulty. Abbess Polixenia was always kind to Mary and each time they spoke, she invited her to join the convent and talked about the salvific monastic path. Mary had already been contemplating this. Now she prayed even more deeply and earnestly because before her lay two roads, much like those in her nighttime vision. Truly, the monastic path was not easy, but it resonated deeply with her soul. She longed to be in church constantly, not just when her family could bring her there. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, young Mary took monastic vows.
Not long after, the young nun was tonsured into the Great Schema, taking the name Manefa. This sacred rite was performed by her spiritual father, Schema-Archimandrite Macarius, one of the last elders of Optina. As he lay on his deathbed, he entrusted his spiritual fatherhood to Hieroschemamonk Artemius (Pototsky). To his spiritual daughter, he said, "I am sending a young priest to you."
From left to right: Abbess Polixenia (Galyudenik), Schema-Nun Manefa (Skobicheva), and Hieromonk Artemius (Pototsky).
In the Soviet Union, any spiritual journey was fraught with sorrow. But then, sorrow enveloped the entire nation as the great war began. Many turned to God during this time, praying for their husbands, brothers, sons, and fathers. During this period, Mother Manefa left the monastery. She was taken in by an elderly couple, the Kizevs, and settled in their home in the village of Vishnevka within the Terenichi District. The villagers soon noticed that the young mother possessed the gift of foresight. She always participated in a unique ritual observed in Vishnevka. Every year during the war, on September 24, someone carried her on their shoulders with a large wooden candle in her hands, while others held an icon beside her. The icon and candle went from house to house. In each home, prayers were offered for the men who had gone to the front, and Mother Manefa held the candle before the icon during these prayers. Along the way, people would ask her about the fate of various soldiers, and she answered without fail. The residents of Vishnevka tried to protect their men from death through prayer. Mother Manefa would tell the women about the fates of their husbands, sons, and fathers, offering comfort and support. But she remained silent about those who had perished, sparing the widows and orphans from further grief. In time, they would learn the truth on their own...
A young woman named Anna Mironenko often visited Mother Manefa. At that time, Anna's husband was a prisoner in Belgium. Of course, Anna knew nothing of this and fell into despair from uncertainty, sometimes doubting that he was still alive. But Mother Manefa dispelled such thoughts and prayed for Anna's husband, telling her, "The most important thing is to pray for your Philip." And indeed, he returned alive and would personally take Mother Manefa to church services in his cart.
Nun Manefa (Skobicheva)
Shortly after the war, Mother Manefa's nephew Vasily was orphaned. She returned to her native village of Sevruki to care for her sister's son. Surviving was difficult. In the early years after the war, many lived on the brink of starvation. Once, for three days, Mother Manefa and her nephew had nothing to eat and sustained themselves only with hot water. It was terrifying to imagine what might come next.
Moreover, the bitter cold was relentless. But God provided for them by sending Anna Mironenko from Vishnevka. She had dried some bread and brought it to Mother Manefa just as her strength was waning. "Bread will never leave your children's and grandchildren's table," said the weakened mother as she accepted the precious gift.
House where Mother Manefa lived
The young nun’s advice was simple, yet every word she spoke carried not only support but also profound spiritual strength. She had an uncanny ability to foresee who would come to her and what their thoughts, problems, and quests were. No matter how sinful a person might be, Mother Manefa never raised her voice. She remained calm and welcoming, often astonishing strangers with insight into their souls and hidden thoughts.
Her preaching was heartfelt and humble, leading many to faith. Among her spiritual guidance, the most important was to read the Akathist to the Theotokos, submit prayer requests, especially to monasteries, and support those in need with alms. The core of her message was that people must seek and pray for the forgiveness of their sins here on earth, making sure to do so while they still live.
Mother Manefa understood that life was hard for everyone and felt embarrassed to accept food and money offered in gratitude. However, her spiritual father, Schema-Archimandrite Macarius, blessed her to embrace these heartfelt gifts. Thanks to this, she could feed those who travelled long distances seeking spiritual support.
The Lord did not abandon her — He sent people who were kindred spirits. Nun Anna, a former nurse, lived with Mother Manefa for a long time, taking care of her health. Their companion was Nun Photinia, who later took the Great Schema as Eustathia.
Each had her duties. Nun Anna read the Psalter, Akathists, and prayers, warmly welcomed visitors, and offered them refreshments. Laundry was also her responsibility; she was often seen washing clothes by the river. Nun Photinia took care of the kitchen and cleaning.
Former Red Army officer Nikolai Mamichev came to Gomel and stayed with Schema-Nun Seraphima. People would visit her and speak of Schema-Nun Manefa. Mother Seraphima also spoke highly of her as a great prayer warrior. Nikolai decided to visit Mother Manefa in hopes of healing or at least relief from his debilitating ailments. "You will be a priest," she greeted him with these words, which deeply resonated with him as he had long harboured this dream. Nikolai began visiting Sevruki more often, helping Mother Manefa with chores that required a man’s strength—repairing the house, fixing the fence, patching the roof, chopping wood...
Gradually, Nikolai moved into Mother Manefa’s little house, where he took secret monastic vows from Schema-Archimandrite Macarius. Soon after, he was ordained as a priest. Thus, a small monastic community formed with Hieromonk Nikolai, Schema-Nun Manefa, Nuns Anna, Eustathia, and Photinia.
People continued to come for prayer and comfort, some travelling from afar and staying overnight, while others wished to remain for several days. Father Nikolai added two rooms to the house for pilgrims, built a summer kitchen, and most importantly, made a wheelchair for Mother Manefa.
In her rare free hours, Mother Manefa would sew, embroider, and mend clothes, while Anna read the Psalter. Mother loved listening to the 17th Kathisma and Psalms 27, 51, and 91. During the summer, she would sew and embroider outside in the courtyard. Those who came seeking her advice and blessing would approach her there.
Mother Manefa welcomed everyone with such genuine love that people would open up to her like children to their mother. She never scolded or reproached anyone for their sins; instead, she empathised with them as if sharing their misfortune. Her face always bore a kind and cheerful expression. To everyone, she advised reading her favourite Psalm 91 and the prayer "Let God Arise" frequently.
Mother Manefa's spiritual father, Hieroschemamonk Artemy, did not abandon her even after leaving this earthly life. He often appeared to her in night visions, comforting his spiritual child and offering her spiritual counsel. She would confide in him about the severity of her illness, her exhaustion from life, and her strained relationships, especially with Father Nikolai. Hieroschemamonk Artemy would respond, "All the saints endured suffering; you must endure too. Drink holy water and persevere." Several times, Mother saw the Theotokos in her dreams.
Sometimes, dark spirits visited her during the night. They took on human forms and threatened her for praying for her spiritual children, demanding she stop. Mother was unafraid; she drove them away with her woollen prayer ropes.
Once, she saw Father Artemy in a subtle dream, standing on a cloud with a blue scarf in his hands. Demons reached for the scarf with their claws, but Father Artemy fought them off. "Repentance has been made for the sin of theft!" he shouted. Mother Manefa awoke in distress. She recognised the scarf—it was one she had secretly taken from a neighbour as a child to make a dress for her doll. She couldn't remember if she had ever repented for that sin. Grateful to her spiritual father for his unceasing prayerful care, she offered repentance for her childhood transgression. This incident reminds us that there is no statute of limitations on sin.
Nun Manefa in her youth
Around Mother Manefa were people from all walks of life — young and old, high-ranking individuals and simple labourers, those plagued by misfortunes and those well-settled in life. They all came to Mother Manefa with different intentions: some sought God, while others merely wanted to see an extraordinary person and verify if the rumours of her clairvoyance were true. For each one, Mother found the right words and gave crucial advice. When sceptics heard things they had never shared with anyone, their doubts and unhealthy curiosity vanished.
Mother Manefa possessed a rare gift for gently guiding the proud towards humility while offering the humble her genuine compassion. One day, a young woman named Tatiana, who would later become Nun Evantia, set out to visit her. On the way, she met two other girls hurrying to see Mother Manefa. They disheartened Tatiana by telling her that Mother Manefa wasn't receiving anyone and that she shouldn't get her hopes up. Tatiana, who had travelled a long distance dreaming of meeting the elder, continued on her way, praying as she walked, while the other girls went far ahead.
When Mother Manefa saw the girls, she greeted them coldly and sent them to the kitchen to peel potatoes. To Tatiana, however, she said warmly, "You stay here and pray with me."
That evening, Tatiana discovered much about herself and the great elder. She realised how profound Mother Manefa's spiritual knowledge was and received invaluable advice for the salvation of her soul.
For those who wished to start a family, she advised praying to the Theotokos and St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. She recommended reciting "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos" twelve times and the Troparion to St. Nicholas both morning and evening. Many returned to thank Mother Manefa for her guidance, crediting her advice for their happy families.
Mother Manefa (centre) with her spiritual children
Some stories of Mother Manefa's spiritual children are truly astonishing. One winter in the early 1950s, a 26-year-old woman named Lyubov Misko came to see her. Lyuba was gravely ill after a traumatic incident. In 1948, she had been working as the deputy head of a post office when robbers attacked her, striking her head with a metal pipe until she lost consciousness. After a year in the hospital, her health did not return. Though she was commended by her superiors, there was no talk of disability benefits, and she had to return to work despite severe headaches and heart pains.
A neighbour suggested, "Why don't you see Mother Manefa?" And so she went. Mother Manefa met her at the door with these words: "It is God's providence that has brought you to me! Come in and stay the night. We will pray together," she invited.
This was unusual because Mother Manefa rarely allowed visitors to stay overnight; they usually received advice and then left.
"Don't be sad, Lyubushka; you will be healthy," Mother Manefa assured her. "I know a professor in Kiev who will heal you. Come back to me afterwards; we will pray together, and you can take me to church."
Lyuba went to see the professor, who helped her regain her health. In gratitude, she assisted Mother Manefa for over ten years.
Some people would become despondent and lose hope due to life's hardships. In those moments, Mother Manefa would casually remind them of the sacrifices made by those who suffered for their faith:
"My dear ones, why should we complain about our fate? God feeds and shelters us. No one persecutes or tortures us. Remember all those who suffered for their faith; remember Jesus Christ..."
One day in January 1984, Mother Manefa asked to be taken outside in her wheelchair. Frail and weak, she longed to breathe in the fresh air. Suddenly, a flock of birds appeared out of nowhere, filling the air with their melodious songs.
Mother Manefa was overjoyed, saying that the birds were praying to God. That very night, Father Artemy appeared to her in a dream and told her that the birds' singing was a sign of her impending death. She asked him when her time would come, but he did not give her a direct answer. He only said that it was not for her to know God's will. Besides, Mother Manefa did not have the strength to bid farewell to everyone she loved and who loved her. In her final days, her closest spiritual children took turns keeping vigil by her bedside.
On February 25, 1984, Mother Manefa completed her earthly journey and departed to be with the Lord. She found her eternal rest in the blessed cemetery of Sevryuki, lying beside those dear to her both in blood and spirit — Hieromonk Nicholas and her nephew Vasily. Simple villagers, neighbours, spiritual children, and priests gathered to bid farewell to the departed elder. Each one understood that they were parting with a chosen one of God, a person of holy life, a true ascetic in Christ.
The grave of Saint Manefa of Gomel
The veneration of the elder did not cease. People continued to visit her grave with their petitions and received help. This led to the exhumation of Schema-nun Manefa's relics on August 11, 2006. Her remains were placed in a new coffin and transferred to the lower church of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Gomel.
A year later, on August 11, 2007, Schema-nun Manefa was glorified as a saint. A new venerable intercessor before God was added to the ranks of the Synaxis of Belarusian Saints.
The transfer of Schema-nun Manefa's relics
The shrine with the relics of St. Manefa of Gomel
Recollections by Nun Maria (Bogush):
"In the summer of 1980, one afternoon, I was working in the garden on obedience from Schema-nun Manefa when I suddenly lost consciousness. They carried me into the house. I spent the night in a severe condition while Hieromonk Nicholas prayed for me continuously. The next morning, he and Lyuba (now Schema-nun Mitrophania) took me home to Gomel. After an examination, the doctor diagnosed me with a kidney stone and said surgery would be inevitable within a week. Mother Manefa and the entire 'Sevryuki Monastery' prayed for me. Though weak, I travelled with Antonina, now Nun Minodora, to the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra."
Nun Maria (Bogush)
I returned home and went for the surgery. Before going under the knife, I had to undergo another examination. After reviewing the test results, the doctor asked me, 'Why are you here? Everything is normal!' I thought it was a mistake in the initial examination."
Eight years later, I fell ill again and went for an ultrasound. The doctor examined me for a long time and finally said, "Here's where the stone used to be. But it's gone now. It's inexplicable." Both the doctors and Sister Nektaria, who was with me, looked at my kidney on the screen along with me. All that remained was a dark indentation shaped like a large bean. It was a miraculous healing."
Recollections by Vasily Skopichev, Mother Manefa's nephew:
"During the war, when everyone hid from the Germans in the forest, they carried Mother Manefa. She told the women they needed to pray for their husbands.
As children, we visited Mother every day. Sometimes we'd bring her flowers or catch small fish for her, and she would praise us and give us candies. Every evening there was a prayer service at Mother's house led by Father Nicholas. We would stand for three or four hours praying. I too would stand and listen.
I often accompanied Mother to St. Nicholas Church in Gomel. We'd call a taxi, place Mother in her little wheelchair, and off we'd go. At church, we'd transfer her back into her wheelchair. She had a small bed at home where she slept. Often we'd take Mother in her wheelchair to visit Father’s graveyard, dragging it through sand with its wooden wheels bound in metal.
Mother was often invited to funerals. There was always plenty of food at these gatherings but little alcohol because Mother wouldn't allow it."
Recollections by Evgenia Ermolayevna from Sevryuki Village:
"I remember Mother very well. Villagers would gather at her place to pray before the icons of the August Sign and the Protection of the Mother of God.
Once there was an infestation of caterpillars in the fields. The collective farm chairman asked Mother to pray for the preservation of the crops. Believing women and Mother herself — carried in their arms — circled the fields at night praying fervently. This saved the crops and ensured a bountiful harvest."
Archimandrite Theodosius (Povny)
Recollections by Archimandrite Theodosius (Povny), formerly Protopriest Peter:
"We often visited Mother Manefa; our first visit stands out vividly in my memory. Our three young children were lively and mischievous, so we left them in the yard while we went inside. Mother Manefa politely took my blessing and asked, 'Where are your little priests? Why haven't they come inside?'
At first, I didn't understand what she meant. 'There were no other priests outside; we came alone,' I replied. 'Your little priests should come inside,' she repeated.
It dawned on me then that she was talking about our sons."
Recollections by Lyubov Misko (Nun Mitrophania):
“Once Mother was very upset and couldn't sleep due to pain. We were all around her when suddenly we heard her talking to Father Artemy.
‘Who is this beautiful woman with you?' she asked him.
Later she told us his reply: 'This is your angel — Saint Mary of Egypt.'
We all saw how Mother brought her hand to her lips as if kissing someone's hand.
Once I asked Mother if I would become a nun. She tugged at my dress and said, ‘You will be just like me.’"
Priests held Schema-nun Manefa in high esteem for her unwavering support of the Church. Maria Bogush, Fotina, and I would set up a festive table for guests who loved listening to Mother's stories about her night visions guided by her spiritual father, Hieroschemamonk Artemy. For instance, once she asked him, "What is pride?" And Father Artemy answered, "Pride is when someone sins but does not acknowledge their guilt or repent."
Father Artemy often told her, "The Holy Spirit leads you," and taught her that whenever she felt unwell, she should read the Akathist to Martyr Tryphon.
Father Artemy also spoke about church commemorations, emphasising how beneficial they are for the departed souls. He taught that nightly prayers should never be skipped as they are prayers of repentance.
Towards the end of her earthly life, Mother saw herself in Jerusalem, spiritually present at the Rite of Burial of the Theotokos lying on a bier in the middle of the church. The high bier was adorned with a golden-white precious covering and surrounded by wonderful singing from many hierarchs. The church was full. Mother wondered how she could approach and venerate the hand of Our Lady when suddenly she found herself right beside Her. The Theotokos opened Her eyes, and Mother asked Her, "What causes illness?" "All illness comes from the enemy," answered Our Lady.
Mother kissed Her hand and felt an indescribably sweet fragrance.
Mother's condition worsened as time passed. Just before her passing in February 1984, she told me: "Live joyfully; keep your spirits high. If sorrow comes your way, turn to Our Lady, share your grief with Her earnestly with tears, and you will find comfort."
Another time she said: "When you go to Sevruki, stop by my grave and pray for my repose — you won't be alone then; I'll be with you. Tell me your troubles, and I will help you."
